Romania

Team Profile

World Ranking: 17

Odds of Winning: 1000/1

Road To Qualification:

Romania beat out 29 other European nations to qualify for the world cup, losing out to Georgia in a playoff for Pool C. They will begin their campaign in Pool D with France, Ireland, Italy, and Canada.

Recent Results

Romania 16 – 21 Tonga

Edinburgh 31 – 16 Romania

Yorkshire Carnegie 10 – 10 Romania

Romania 23 – 0 Argentina Jaguars

Romania 43 – 3 Namibia

World Cup Pool Games:

Date

Time

Team

v

Team

Stadium

Wed, 23 September 15

20:00

France

v

Romania

The Olympic Stadium, London

Sunday, 27 September 15

16:45

Ireland

v

Romania

Wembley Stadium, London

Tuesday, 6 October 15

16:45

Canada

v

Romania

Olympic Stadium, London

Sunday, 11 October 15

14:30

Italy

v

Romania

Sandy Park, Exeter

Strengths

Big boys in the pack

Weaknesses

Lack of flair in the backline

Little experience playing Tier 1 teams.

Key Players

Ion Paulică – An experience prop, Ion has played for Bath and London Irish, but now plies his trade in Perpignan. Paulică will be at the coalface all game working away at the oppositions front row.

Michael Wiringi – This New Zealand-born fly half is expected to be one of the team’s top performers, having had a crucial hand in leading Romania to their eventual victory in the World Rugby Nations Cup. He will strengthen Romania’s traditionally weak backline.

Ovidiu Tonita – at 35 years old, this will be the number 8’s fourth Rugby World Cup for Romania. Playing outside of Romania now for Provence, the forward will provide some much needed experience, and help to keep the newer players in line.

(video source: Julius Kartoum)

Injuries/Unlucky To Miss Out

The Romanian squad has remained largely injury-free in the lead up to the world cup. A leg injury to Wiringi earlier in the year delayed his debut, but he’s now match fit and ready for the World Cup. They will be pleased to be coming into the World Cup injury-free, as they lack the depth of talent that allows larger teams to cope.

Overall, with what is now an experienced squad (average age of 28, and an average of 38 caps per player) Romania will look to beat a Canada team that has been on poor form in the lead up to the World Cup. France and Ireland will be out of their reach, but there’s a feeling that Romania will also target Italy, with the goal of proving that tier2 nations can hold their own against the bottom tier of the 6 nations. Above all, the Romanian team is BIG. All four opposing squads will be tender the day after they meet Romania, who will be a handful at every impact and scrum. Expect some massive collisions if anyone decides to try and run through them.